Asternova Centru invests in pre-seed and Seed technology companies in Alba, Brașov, Covasna, Harghita, Mureș and Sibiu. The €8.061 million fund targets a portfolio of 40 companies. For founders, it provides capital to develop their product and business. For investors, it offers access to early-stage opportunities in the region.
What we look for in a company
We invest between €50,000 and €350,000, depending on the company’s stage, financing needs and round structure.
We look for teams developing products with commercial potential whose growth plans are supported by evidence. A validated prototype, a working product or the first users and customers provide starting points for our analysis. We assess what the company has demonstrated so far, how well it understands its market and what it can achieve with the proposed investment.
We actively source companies across all six counties. Selection is based on the quality of the investment opportunity, without fixed allocations by county.
From pitch deck to investment decision
The process starts with your deck and information about the company: team, product, market, business model, traction and use of funds.
If the opportunity fits the fund’s mandate, we proceed with discussions and a detailed company assessment. Due diligence informs the evaluation, and the decision follows the Investment Committee’s formal process.
Being based in Central Romania is a condition of the mandate. Investment depends on the assessment of the company and its growth prospects.
Public and private capital, professional investment management
Of the fund’s total size, €7.058 million is public capital provided through ADR Centru, the public anchor investor, under the Centru Regional Programme 2021–2027. Private capital completes the structure.
Asternova Centru operates as a venture capital fund: capital is deployed through investments in companies, based on investment selection and analysis.
Aster Capital Partners manages the fund and is responsible for investment management and compliance. Iceberg+ contributes regional presence and opportunity identification, while Venture Booster contributes sourcing, acceleration and company support.
The team includes Silvia Ursu - General Partner, Dan Avram - Venture Partner, Paul Ștefănuț - Acceleration Expert, and Jean-Marc Bally - Chair of the Investment Committee.
After investment: company development and subsequent rounds
We work with founders to prepare for their next stages of growth. Depending on the company’s needs, support may include acceleration, preparation for a new funding round, and introductions to investors and commercial partners.
For angel investors and venture capital funds, Asternova Centru can provide access to regional deal flow, local context for company evaluation and co-investment opportunities. Collaboration can cover both the initial investment and subsequent rounds.
For founders
Do you have a pre-seed or Seed startup in Central Romania? Send us your pitch deck, the amount you intend to raise and the objectives the investment will support.
For investors
Are you looking for early-stage technology companies in Romania? Let’s discuss your mandate and co-investment opportunities.
The financial instrument is implemented with co-financing from the European Regional Development Fund through the Centru Regional Programme 2021–2027.